Howl, ye ships of Tarshish. He repeats what he formerly said; for the Cilicians, on account of their vicinity, constantly traded with the inhabitants of Tyre. He bids their ships howl, because, when that harbour is shut up, the merchants will be struck with amazement at not having their ordinary intercourse. He calls that harbour which they visited, their strength, not only because it was a place of resort that might be relied on, but because there was no other way in which their voyages could yield profit.

"Howl Isaiah 23:1.
For your strength - That which has been your support and strength; to wit, Tyre (compare Ezekiel 26:15-18).

Howl, ye shops - The Prophet Ezekiel hath enlarged upon this part of the same subject with great force and elegance: -
"Thus saith the Lord Jehovah concerning Tyre: -
At the sound of thy fall, at the cry of the wounded,
At the great slaughter in the midst of thee, shall not the islands tremble?
And shall not all the princes of the sea descend from their thrones,
And lay aside their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments?
They shall clothe themselves with trembling, they shall sit on the ground;
They shall tremble every moment, they shall be astonished at thee.
And they shall utter a lamentation over thee, and shall say unto thee:
How art thou lost, thou that wast inhabited from the seas!
The renowned city, that was strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants!
That struck with terror all her neighbors!
Now shall the coasts tremble in the day of thy fall,
And the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure."
Ezekiel 26:15-18.

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your (s) strength is laid waste.
(s) That is, Tyrus by whom you are enriched.

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish,.... As in Isaiah 23:1. See Gill on Isaiah 23:1,
for your strength is laid waste; meaning Tyre, a strong seaport, where their ships were safe, and always found vent for their goods and merchandise; and so it was the strength and support of their country; but was now destroyed, and therefore was matter of lamentation and mourning.

strength--stronghold (compare Ezekiel 26:15-18).

Your strength - The city of Tyre, where you found safety and wealth.